INCLINE NEWS
May 1, 2009 - Lighting the Way: Beacon Brightens Up
CHRONOGRAM MAGAZINE - "People need a suitable place to rendevous with nature to recharge themselves," says Jim Bopp. "You can't tell
me you go on the top of Mount Beacon and you don't feel different. I love Mount Beacon."
He loves it so much, in fact, that he's
worked relentlessly for over 10 years to get Beacon's incline railway reinstated. Bopp, who began his lifetime career in welding and
engineering at a factory on East Main Street, was the last person to operate the railway before it shut down in 1978. With the help
of upstate advocacy organization Scenic Hudson, his group, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Society, has entered what he hopes are
the final stages in securing the project's planning. Full article here
June 18, 2009 - Fire Tower Slated for Historic Register
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL - The Mount Beacon Fire Tower near Beacon in Dutchess County is among 24 sites selected for inclusion
in the the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Properties listed on the state and national registers can apply for public
preservation and matching government tax credits.
The Mount Beacon Fire Observation Tower, located on the summit of South Beacon Mountain,
is a 60-foot steel tower, built in 1931. It is currently being restored by volunteers for use by the public.
July 29, 2009 - Fire Tower Placed in Historic Register
MID-HUDSON NEWS - Senator Stephen Saland and a number of local officials gathered Tuesday at Mt. Beacon Gateway Park to
honor the Mount Beacon Fire Tower as a noteworthy part of the region’s history.
The entire project is being spearheaded by the Mount
Beacon Incline Railway Society. “This project is a continuum of a renaissance that Beacon has experienced over the course of the last
15 to 20 years,” said Senator Stephen Saland. Full article here
S O C I E T Y
R E S T O R A T I O N
Oct 9, 2009 - Fishkill Supervisor to Join Incline Railway Board
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL - Joan Pagones was chosen to join the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society board of trustees. Pagones
is the Fishkill town supervisor, a position she’s held since 1991.
“Joan brings incredible leadership, drive and integrity to our board,”
said Incline Society President Anne Lynch.
Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society
Post Office Box 1248, Beacon, New York 12508
Phone: 845.765.3262
Feb 28, 2010 - Schaeffer Named Business Person of the Year
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL - When it came to picking the Business Person of the Year, the "of the year" part made it remarkably easy for
the past 12 months. It's Fred Schaeffer. It was his year....Next on Schaeffer's agenda is finishing the transition and funding for
the Walkway. But there may be more. He's joined the board of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Association in Beacon.
July 9, 2009 - Adventures in the Ruins on Mount Beacon
PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER - In my search for places to take my family on excursions in and around Putnam County, usually about the time
I get to the point that I think I've discovered them all, an exciting new adventure presents itself, and my amazement with the sights
in our area is renewed.
You have to go a little outside Putnam County to visit Mount Beacon, but its uniqueness warrants a visit. Full article here
October 5, 2007 - Mount Beacon is a Unique Destination
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL - Mount Beacon is one of those rare on-the-beaten-track trails. Scenic Hudson built a trailhead and
a set of stairs up the first part of the mountain, at a parking area just off of Route 9D in the City of Beacon.
The prominent peak
was used by Gen. George Washington during the Revolution, when troops lit signal fires there to warn of British troop movements. It
also has the remnants of what was once the world's steepest incline railway... Full article here
May 18, 2010 - Restoring the Mount Beacon Incline Railway
YNN NEWS - From the turn of the last century to 1978, the fastest way to the top of Mount Beacon was on rails that carried the Mount
Beacon Incline Railway. The organization that is trying to restore this railway says a quick way to those million dollar views will
mean millions for the local economy. See the video here
May 20, 2010 - Beacon Incline Railway's Return Would Boost Tourism, Study Says
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL - The group backing the reconstruction of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway now has a study that puts some
numbers behind ideas of what it could do for the region's economy. The findings come from a study that was a student project under
Dean Dudley, an associate professor of economics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
May 28, 2010 - Beacon Wants Its Inclined Rail Line Back
HV BIZ MAGAZINE - Bringing back the old Beacon Incline Railway might be an uphill endeavor, but like the trip up Mount Beacon
itself, the payoff is worth the effort. That is the bottom-line rationale being cited by supporters to buttress the once-quixotic
proposal to restore the famous Beacon Incline Railway, which they tout as an economic winner for the city and the entire region. Full article here
May 23, 2010 - A View of the Hudson Pays Off in Many Ways
TIMES - HERALD RECORD - If you thought that the view from the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie was nice, and felt it got
even nicer when the lights went on recently, how about checking out the view from atop Mount Beacon after a ride on the renovated
Incline Railway? That's the vision of a group that has been working since the mid-'90s to bring back what once was a premier attraction
for local people and especially for tourists. Full article here
INCLINE NEWS
August 17, 2010 - Hudson River Valley Ramble 2010
HUDSON VALLEY MAGAZINE - The Mount Beacon Incline hike follows the route once taken by the railway. Led by interpretive
guides from the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society, who are trying to rebuild the mountain’s funicular railway...the
hike ends at the summit, which [Ramble director Mark] Castiglione cites as “one of the most spectacular views in the Hudson Valley.” Full article here
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October 26, 2010 - Group Wants 2013 Return for Beacon Incline Railway
DAILY FREEMAN - Restorationists have set their sights on bringing back to life the Mount Beacon Incline Railway, which has been
out of commission for some 27 years. The inclined railroad, which climbed the steep Mount Beacon to its crest from 1902 through 1978,
would cost millions to rebuild. Full article here
December 19, 2010 - Beacon Incline Railway Receives $42.5K Planning Grant
MID-HUDSON NEWS - The Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society is going to receive a $42,500 grant to fund a comprehensive
market analysis, business plan and museum conceptualization that members hope will lead to rebuilding of the rail line up Mount Beacon
in the City of Beacon. Full article here
January 29, 2011 - Beacon Incline Railway Plan Presses On
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL - The Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society has reached a crucial juncture - one that it hopefully
will pass to create another tourist mecca for the Mid-Hudson Valley. Full article here
June 6, 2011 - Momentum Builds for Incline Railway
TIMES HERALD-RECORD - Will the Mount Beacon Incline Railway be the next Walkway Over the Hudson? The City of Beacon sure hopes
so. And wouldn't a fully incline be the perfect icing on the city's 100th anniversary cake in 2013? Full article here
May 26, 2011 - Study to Examine Beacon Incline Railway Plan
POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL - A new study will help the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society complete business planning
for a reconstructed tourist railway.The study will examine annual operating costs, recommend staffing and facility requirements, and
address environmental and infrastructure issues, among other business considerations, said Anne Lynch, Society president
and CEO. Full article here
May 24, 2011 - Economic Consultant Hired to Work on Incline Restoration
MID-HUDSON NEWS - The Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society hopes to break ground to rebuild the historic railroad in 2013,
the 100th birthday of the City of Beacon. Full article here
Feb 10, 2011 - Society Mourns Loss of Co-Founder and Vice President
HUDSON VALLEY PRESS - Today, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society sadly announced the passing of Vice-President
Andrew Chiusano, age 50, after a period of illness. A Beacon native, Mr. Chiusano was a well known local businessman and community
volunteer. Full article here
September 9, 2011 - Hiking the Path of the Incline Railway
NEW YORK TIMES - For modern travelers, transportation is less a marvel than a necessity, and it can be joyless: squishing into
a sticky airplane seat, grabbing a still-warm subway pole or slumping behind a steering wheel and hoping you make it home in time
for supper. But in 1902, when the Mount Beacon Incline Railway — then the world’s steepest passenger funicular — began operations
in Beacon, N.Y., the journey was still paramount... Full article here